The Portland daily press., 1887-03-11
BEEcHER's FUNERAL.
The Services Over the Remains of the
Great Preacher.
The Popular Tribute Finds Express
sion in Flowers and Sympathy.
Private Sympathy, the Procession
and Public Ceremonies.

BROOKLYN, March 1O.-In spite of the rain
the streets in the vicinity of Mr.. Beecher's
mouse were crowded with people this morn
ing. AT o'clock Police Captain Campbell
ana squad of police took up their stations
IA front OF the house. A large number of
moral emblems were received before the pri-
Vate services commenced. Two wreaths of
Wnlte roses, lilies Of the valley and smilax
were received by Mrs. Col. Beecher early in
tne morning. These bore the cards Of Ellen
Jerry and Mr.. Irving. Mrs. S. V. White
sent pillar of white roses, and other floral
tributes came pouring in from all quarters.
Inc coffin rested in the centre of the front
parlor, and was surrounded with bank of
mowers. The remains were dressed in a suit
OF black broadcloth, with the coat buttoned
up and the right hand rested across the
heart. The features were natural and there
was smile upon the face. The long gray
hair was brushed back over the ears, the
saine Tu as MT. Keecher wore 1t while alive.
Earlys In the morning, before the services,
mrs; Beecher went into the parlor and stood
ny tne cofiin for some time. She bent over
tne remains, and, after implanting kiss up
on the lips, was led into the back room.
promptly at $50 Rev. G. II. Hall, of the
Church Of the Holy Trinity, entered the
mouse. After a short conversation with
Major j. B. Pond, he entered the front par
ior and commenced to read the burial service
from tne ritual Of the Episcopal church. A
quaItette, consisting of l. Werrenrath, tenor:
Y. Chaplin, basso; Mrs. Werrenrath, sopra-
no; and Mrs. Lazar Studwell, contraIto sang
Jesus, Lover Of My Soul" Beyond the
Signing and the Weeping" and Come Holy
spirit: While the services were in pro-
gress in the house, Company G, known as
the Plymouth Company Of the Thirteenth
Regiment was drawn up in front of the
house. They were dressed in the regulation
uniform, white gloves, white belts and he'll
NETS. Capt William l.. Watson was in
command. Only the members of the
family and few friends were present dur
ing the services. The family were seated in
the back parlor. Those present were Mrs.
Beecheri Col w. Q. Beecher and wife, Miss
Major Il. b. Beecher and wife. Mrs. Mar,
garet Beecher, Miss Kate Beecher, Rev. Ed
ward Beecher, Charles Beecher and Rev.
Ihomas *. Beecher, brothers of the de- |
ceased, ceased. ! Miss Harriet Stowe, daughter of |
Rev: Samuel Scoyille, Samuel Scoville, Jr., |
the Misses Hattie and Annie Scoyille, Mr.. |
and Mrs. ): Y: White, Mrs. Elizabeth Bull |
lard, Miss Belle Cowan, Mrs. Z. A. Sec
comb, Il. Nj. Cleveland of Boston, Rev. w. |
Mrs. 5: b. Halliday, DR.. Bullard, +. w. Hop
klns, Mr.. and Mrs. w. II. Burr, Asa Bullard |
Of Boston, Mrs. Lot Jones of New York, |
MISS Z. Moore and DR.. Hutchinson. None
9f the family were dressed in black. Mrs
Beecher sat near the remains during the
reading of the service, and by her side were
her sons and daughters and the members of |
their families. She bore-up wonderfully |
during the whole Of the ceremony, and was
vices the Rev. DR.. Hall spoke for
fifteen minutes. alluding in the most
manner to the strong friendship |
which had existed for many years between
himself and Mr.. Beecher.
The members of the family then retired tn
other rooms, and Undertaken Hopper's as
sistants came up and carried the casket
down the steps and to the hearse, which
stood in the rear Of the Thirteenth Regi-
ment. On the cofiin was laid pail of bright
green ferns, and with its emerald hues inter-
mingled the beautiful shades Of many varie-
ties OF roses. The Plymouth company.
which had led the van of the regiment as it
approached the house, formed eight in front
and followed the coffin to the rear, and then
took the position of guard of honor. AS the
CONN was brought out Of the house the bugle
pand OF the regiment sounded a solemn
aifae,,A ;.saan AZ fhs g..ara ef h~aer had
regiment was formed into twelve files, with
arms reversed. The procession then moved
down Clark street until the hearse passed the
front OF the house, when the members of the
family got in the carriages in waiting and
=
cortege moved on, the drum corps playing a
funeral march with muffled drums. On ar
irving at the church the regiment deployed
and formed double file front to receive the
OF which the hearse drew up. The casket
was carried IN the church, up the Henry
street aisle, and placed on the dais in front
Of the pulpit. The pail was drawn back and
The sliding top OF the casket was removed,
exposing to view the face of the dead The
guard of honor took up its position, and
then the regiment filed into the church in
double tile front, marched up one aisle and
passed In front Of the coffin, breaking ranks
and passing one file on each side and then
down the other aisle to the street. There
Will be music in the church during the
whole OF the time the body laws there.
The will Of Mr.. Beecher was read this
in the presence Of the family. 1t
probably. will not be filed for probate as one
OF Its main provisions authorizes the men,
bers OF the family to settle among them
selves what is left The chief feature of the
will is that Mrs. Beecher is first provided
for. The full contents Of the will will not
be made known unless 1t is probated as the
family desires secresy.
Tonight the Beecher residence was bril-
liantly lighted. The members of the family
were dressed as If for going to church ON
Sunday, and everything around was made
bright and cheerful as possible in accordance
with the often expressed wish of Mr.. Beech
er in case of such an event. Many visitors
called during the day on visits Of coincidence
to Mrs. Beecher, and many flowers were
sent. Only the most intimate friends were,
however, received Among the hundreds OF
persons who left cards were clergymen and
strangers from all sections of the country.
Mrs Beecher enjoys her usual good health,
and bears her bereavement with remarkable |
fortitude. During the afternoon and evening
up to IL O'Clock throng poured through |
the church to view the dead preach |
er's face. AT one time the line extended |
down Fulton street The force of the police |
had to be increased, and an officer was |
stationed every five yards to keep the line |
unbroken. In the procession were people |
OF all classes and nationalities 1t is esti- |
mated that over 10000 people passed the |
So many wreaths and bouquets |
were left ON the bier that special place had |
to be provided for them at the foot of the |
pulpit